Does anyone stand while editing?
 

Like many of us, I spend most of my day with Vegas, sitting at a desk. I have been looking at standing desks. Is anyone here editing while standing?

If you are what desk or adapter do you use?

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

Jeff,
About 7 or 8 years ago I made my edit desk a stand up desk. I had hurt my back playing golf (I tried to pretend I could hit the ball like the pros and threw every ounce I had at the T shot. The result was a short shot and a hurt back) Anyway I actually liked it but my feet would bother me after a couple of hours. I worked like that for about 3 or 4 months then went back to sitting (my back felt good by then) and that's how I've been editing ever since. Of course I'm an old guy and my body can't do what it used to be able to so....

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

Sounds like what I would expect, that I'd get tired of it or need to switch. I'm looking at adjustable options that would allow me sit or stand, but it's pricey.

Thanks for your feedback, Don.

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

I figured out that sitting on anything was hurting me so I switched to a standup desk, but I found a stool just the right height to allow me to take occasional sit-down breaks. It's working pretty well.

Fran

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

Sounds like an ideal solution, I like it. Thanks for sharing, Fran.

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

I remember seeing Walter Murch editing "Cold Mountain" while standing on "The Cutting Edge" documentary. Seems like an inspiring way to work, though I never tried it myself.

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

Interesting, Jon.

Also, I've found while poking around into the subject that working while standing is currently popular on the west coast. There are a lot of stand up desks available right now, even on Amazon.

Many desks on the market are motorized and adjustable, with the idea that one would periodically alternate height of your desk to change up positions for the most beneficial results.

I'm likely going to go with Fran's setup. I plan on an adjustable desk with tall, adjustable chair.

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

I've considered using one... but always shy away due to the high price and "weird" way that I like to have my desk configured with storage and whatnot. If you really want to get healthy, you could get a TreadDesk... basically a standing desk with a slightly modified treadmill.

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

I saw a treadmill desk, not so sure about that idea!

I am thinking about mouning my present desk to the wall via brackets and just buying a tall chair. Would probably work fine.

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

tried an assortment of techniques, includ. standing.

have found the best mode for myself (obviously) is a brisk 2km walk on getting up, 2hr stints sitting (alternating between my orthopedic office chair and a large exercise ball), with 15minute breaks for coffee / tea / whatever that does not require me sitting or in front of a screen, and another 2km walk in the evening.

mind you, i have the luxury of a quiet rural location and no clients sitting over my shoulder.

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

I have started doing this at home. At work I sit, since the desks arent standing desks, but at home I have been standing up and working and it is really a good change of pace. There are standing chairs which I am looking into for my next work place vs the good old aeron chairs.

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

I'm thinking that a prefabricated workshop workbench may work well as a very sturdy and spacious option for the base of a DIY type standing desk. They are designed to take abuse and be sturdy for working with tools and such on top and they are the right height for the average persons standing height.

Here is a quick example I found from Sears.

Craftsman Black Workbench: Work Tough with Sears

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

I have found the best method is to hang upside down from the ceiling like a bat at rest which means the computer etc are also upside down but in this way, blood rushes to the head thereby giving an increased capacity to think which, at the end of the day, means a quicker edit and more time for other activities. The idea of a treadmill on the ceiling is interesting but the tendency would be to run backwards and our house faces west during the winter months.
I am still having difficulties in this situation such as when my wife brings me in a cup of coffee and the inevitable happens....
If I can find a way to shoot a wedding upside down, then I could edit the right way up and not have to worry about coffee spillage!!

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

Not just popular on west coast. One energy giant here has adjustable desks for many employees, and id venture to guess every corporation with a large "no one gets hurt/safety first" culture has them as well. Probably everyone in the energy/construction/related industry. Very popular concept. I hate it cause my natural state is a relaxed slouch and my feet hurt after standing for a very short time.

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

Ralph, $230 is s a lot of money for a workbench. I built one that was 2.5 ft. by 6 ft. out of 2x4s and scrap plywood I rescued from a theatre set that was going to be tossed out. Less than one day's labour and I was done. Even if you bought the lumber brand new your total cost would be under $100.

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

@Chris

Ask the folks in Oz and NZ how they keep their coffee from spilling while working upside down:<))

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

no problems down here mate, gravity sucks so it still stays in the cup......

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

I walk/jog/run on my treadmill while I render :)

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

i've been wanting to get one of the kneeling chairs, tried one in the store and really liked it. seems very peculiar but i've spoken to a few people who like it a lot

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

I just made a makeshift stand on my regular desk. I like standing and working, and it feels a lot more healthy, especially after reading this:

How Sitting All Day Is Damaging Your Body and How You Can Counteract It

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

Thanks for the article, Brian.

I work out regularly, and still am losing muscle mass, and it's largely due to sitting so much. I am getting up more often and it's helping me to feel better.

Darren, the kneeling chairs are very strange and very comfortable, tried one years ago in the store and liked it, didn't know what to make of it though! Don't know if I could work in one, let us know how it works out if you go that route please!

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

Mike, not too shabby, I like it except it doesn't have the spiffy Craftsman logo on it :)

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

I'm see an eye hook in the ceiling rigged with bungee cords & gaffers tape and a sippy cup contraption.

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

I use a LifeSpan TR1200DT treadmill desk for all my computer work. If I do real detail work I slow it down or stop it to just stand still, but usually I plod along at about 2.0 mph. Takes an hour or two to get the hand of it, but works well for me. I have one or work and one for the house.

I only edit occasionally now, but my son runs a video business and loves the treadmill for editing.

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

I've never tried a treadmill desk myself.... only even occasionally tried a stand up desk. Maybe I just didn't have a good setup and only work for short periods before I get tired and want to sit. For some reason though I really like the idea of trying a treadmill desk. In theory the movement gets the blood flowing and keeps you more alert, would think this should help with improving concentration.

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

The reviews on Amazon for the LifeSpan are positively glowing. It is hard to imagine moving while editing, it sounds very counterintuitive, but users like Roger do seem to love it.

I think I'm going to begin by purchasing a comfortable tall chair, then raising my workstation up using brackets attached to the wall. I will then alternate standing and sitting.

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

Jeff, please post back how this works out for you... also if you can post a link to the chair you decide on if it is very comfortable. I've not had much luck at all finding a standing height chair that is very comfortable for very long.

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

Concentration improves greatly for me on the treadmill, but motor control is diminished slightly at 2.0 mph. If you slow it further to say 1.3mph you can edit most anything. The great part of the treadmill is if you edit for 4 hours only plodding along at 1.5mph, you just put in 6 miles!

There is some very alarming research indicating desk work can cause serious problems similar to those found in truck drivers and the likes (hemorrhoids, blood clots, collapsed veins, obesity ....). Unfortunately exercising alone doesn't really avoid many of these problems, they are often a function of how long you sit. Job 1 is to get off your tail as much as you can, so standing is good. Better is to have some low intensity movement (slow walking), best is to have some amount of vigorous exercise every day in addition to lots of less strenuous movement. Sedentary = bad.

Re: Does anyone stand while editing?
 

Definitely good to know! I work at a desk at least 60+ hours a week... not sure how sedentary I am though, I'm kinda antsy and move around a lot... running to get things and move things all the time. I for sure agree with you on the movement and exercise advice. I go to a gym and get in a good Crossfit workout 3 times a week combined with a clean diet... I feel so much better and more alert when I'm working... makes it all worth the effort.